Transportation Services helps manage parking for major campus events including UW Athletics, UWAA, commencement, concerts, and more. This page provides information for event planners and event attendees. Questions? Contact Special Events (608-262-8683).
Event attendees
We arrange parking on event days to accommodate guests along with UW permit holders. Some day-of parking is sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Lots available for event parking are posted in our Events Calendar.
To find parking options near your destination, check out the campus parking maps.
Accessible (disabled) event parking may be available in designated areas. The cost for accessible (disabled) parking is the same as standard parking. We are authorized to charge for parking under State Statute [346.50(2A)]. For information on accessible visitor parking, see the accessible transportation options page.
UW Athletics event attendees: Parking (including accessible parking) for UW athletic events is pre-sold by the UW Athletics Department on a season-long basis. Day-of event parking is sold by Transportation Services on a first-come, first-served basis. Check for athletic event parking maps (football, basketball, hockey) under the corresponding venue below. For more information, call the Wisconsin Athletic Ticket Office at (608) 262-1440 or (800) 462-2343.
Toggle the menu items below for parking details by venue or event type, event parking maps, and tips for getting to a campus event by bus, bike, or on foot.
Event parking options
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Camp Randall or Field House events
Parking is sold on a first-come, first-served basis the day of most events. Disabled parking is sold in designated areas. Check the Events Calendar to see what lots are available for a specific event. Not all events will have staffed parking assistance. If an event is not listed on the Events Calendar, see the visitor parking page for parking suggestions.
Badger football
Single game parking is available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the game only. Attendees wishing to purchase day-of parking may buy a ticket at the lot entrance from the lot attendant. See available lots and costs on the UW Football Game Day Parking Map. Check the lot addresses on the lot locations and hours page.
Vehicles parked illegally in UW-Madison lots used for football game day parking will be ticketed and towed to Lot 59 at the west end of the campus.
There is a “Bucky Shuttle” service available from certain campus lots (60 and 76), as well as other downtown locations. See the Athletics Shuttle Bus Service page for details, costs, and a route map.
Avoid traffic and ride your bike to the game! A free bike parking corral service is available on game days. See details on the bicycle page.
Badger volleyball
Single game parking is available for purchase from lots on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the game only. Check lot addresses on the lot locations and hours page.
Fluno Center events
If you have not purchased parking in advance from the event hosts, you can purchase visitor parking the day of an event, when available, in one of the campus parking ramps/garages. Lot 83 (Fluno Center) or nearby Lot 46 (Lake & Johnson) are your two best options. All lot addresses can be found on the lot locations and hours page.
Visitor parking in these locations is “pay on exit”. Visitors pull a ticket on entry, which is time-stamped. Pay (based on the hourly fee) at a “pay on foot” station or at the exit lane column upon leaving.
Kohl Center events
The Kohl Center hosts many events, including Men and Women’s Basketball and Men’s Hockey. Parking is sold on a first-come, first-served basis the day of most events. Disabled parking is sold in designated areas. Check the Events Calendar to see what lots are available for a given event. Not all events will have staffed parking assistance. If an event is not listed on the Events Calendar, see the visitor parking page for parking suggestions.
Badger Men’s Basketball
Single game parking is available for purchase from lots with availability on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the game only. Patrons wishing to purchase day-of parking will pay the lot attendant as they enter the lot. See available lots and costs on the UW Men’s Basketball parking map (PDF).
Badger Women’s Basketball
Single game parking is available for purchase from lots with availability on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the game only. Patrons wishing to purchase day-of parking will pay the lot attendant as they enter the lot. See available lots and costs on the UW Women’s Basketball Parking Map (PDF).
Badger Men’s Hockey
Single game parking is available for purchase from lots with availability on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the game only. Patrons wishing to purchase single game parking will pay the lot attendant as they enter the lot. See available lots and costs on the UW Men’s Hockey Parking Map (PDF).
Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) graduations
Refer to the Madison Metropolitan School District website for event details.
Memorial Union/Union South events
- You can purchase parking in advance of any event by completing the value permit request form or by calling Special Events at (608) 262-8683. Please allow two weeks for processing.
- You can purchase visitor parking the day of an event, when available, in one of the campus gated parking lots (garages/ramps).
- Nearest campus ramps/garages to Memorial Union: Lot 6 (H.C. White Garage), Lot 7 (Grainger Hall Garage), Lot 46 (Lake & Johnson Ramp), and Lot 83 (Fluno Center Garage).
- Nearest to Union South: Lot 17 (Engineering Drive Ramp), Lot 20 (University Avenue Ramp), Lot 80 (Union South Garage), Lot 7 (Grainger Hall Garage), and Lot 29 (N. Park Street Ramp).
All lot addresses can be found on the lot locations and hours page. If Special Events is staffing the any of these lots, there may be an event parking fee you pay at the entrance. If there’s not a staffed event, visitor parking in these locations is “pay on exit”. Visitors pull a time-stamped ticket on entry and pay (based on the hourly fee) at a “pay on foot” station or at the exit lane column upon leaving.
Music, Theatre & Drama, and Dance events
School of Music events
Events are primarily held in Music Hall, Hamel Music Center, or the Humanities Building (Mills and Morphy Concert Halls).
You can purchase visitor parking the day of an event, when available, in one of the campus gated parking lots (garages/ramps). These include Lot 6 (H.C. White Garage), Lot 7 (Grainger Hall Garage), Lot 46 (Lake & Johnson Ramp), and Lot 83 (Fluno Center Garage). Live gated lot visitor parking availability
If Special Events is staffing the any of these lots, there may be an event parking fee you pay at the entrance. If there is not a staffed event, visitor parking in these locations is “pay on exit”. Visitors pull a time-stamped ticket on entry and pay (based on the hourly fee) at a “pay on foot” station or at the exit lane column upon leaving.
Some nearby surface lot options are free after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends: Lot 45, 54, 56, 61, and 86. Be sure to check the Events Calendar to see if the lots will be used for special event parking–if they are, they may be unavailable for parking or require a parking fee.
All lot addresses can be found on the lot locations and hours page and parking maps on the campus maps page.
See the School of Music website for more details, including performance dates and tickets.
Department of Theatre and Drama events
Events are held in Vilas Hall (Mitchell and Hemsley Theatres) and Union South. See the section above for Union South parking recommendations.
You can purchase visitor parking the day of an event, when available, in one of the campus gated parking lots (garages/ramps). These include Lot 6 (H.C. White Garage), Lot 7 (Grainger Hall Garage), Lot 29 (N. Park Street Ramp), Lot 46 (Lake & Johnson Ramp), and Lot 83 (Fluno Center Garage). Live gated lot visitor parking availability
If Special Events is staffing any of these lots, there may be an event parking fee you pay at the entrance. If there is not a staffed event, visitor parking in these locations is “pay on exit”. Visitors pull a time-stamped ticket on entry and pay (based on the hourly fee) at a “pay on foot” station or at the exit lane column upon leaving.
Some nearby surface lot options are free after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends: Lot 45, 54, 56, 61, and 86. Be sure to check the Events Calendar to see if the lots will be used for special event parking–if they are, they may be unavailable for parking or require a parking fee.
All lot addresses can be found on the lot locations and hours page and parking maps on the campus maps page.
See the Department of Theatre and Drama website for more details, including performance dates and tickets.
UW Dance events
Events are primarily held in Lathrop Hall’s H’Doubler Performance Space.
You can purchase visitor parking the day of an event, when available, in one of the campus gated parking lots (garages/ramps). These include Lot 7 (Grainger Hall Garage), Lot 20 (University Avenue Ramp), Lot 46 (Lake & Johnson Ramp), Lot 80 (Union South Garage), and Lot 83 (Fluno Center Garage). Live gated lot visitor parking availability
If Special Events is staffing the any of these lots, there may be an event parking fee you pay at the entrance. If there is not a staffed event, visitor parking in these locations is “pay on exit”. Visitors pull a time-stamped ticket on entry and pay (based on the hourly fee) at a “pay on foot” station or at the exit lane column upon leaving.
Some nearby surface lot options are free after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends: Lot 45, 54, 56, 61, and 86. Be sure to check the Events Calendar to see if the lots will be used for special event parking–if they are, they may be unavailable for parking or require a parking fee.
All lot addresses can be found on the lot locations and hours page and parking maps on the campus maps page.
See the UW Dance website for more details, including performance dates and tickets.
Nielsen Tennis Stadium/Goodman Softball Complex and Natatorium events
Nielsen Tennis Stadium or Goodman Softball Complex events (Tennis, Softball)
During the week before 4:30 p.m., parking is very limited on campus. Depending on the event, we may be selling parking on a first-come, first-served basis in designated lots. Accessible (disabled) parking is very limited and is sold in designated areas. Vehicles with disabled hang-tags or plates may park for free in timed parking stalls greater than 25 minutes if any are available at that time. To see which lots are available for event parking, please see the Events Calendar.
If we are not selling at the lot entrance and it is business hours, stop by Room 124 of the WARF Building (610 Walnut Street) to purchase a permit from our front desk staff.
Weekdays after 4:30 p.m. and all day on weekends, free parking is available in Lot 60 and 82 unless Special Events is staffing the lot entrances.
Natatorium events (Swimming, RecWell events)
During the week before 4:30 p.m., parking is very limited on campus. Depending on the event, we may be selling parking on a first-come, first-served basis in Lot 67. Accessible parking is limited. There are a few marked disabled stalls in lots 57, where vehicles with disabled hang-tags or plates may park for free in timed parking stalls with a time limit greater than 25 minutes if any are available at that time. There are also disabled stalls in Lot 67, but visitors must pull a ticket and pay for time parked and/or pay the special event fee.
To see which lots are available for event parking, please see the Events Calendar.
If parking is not being sold at the lot entrance, stop by Room 124 of the WARF Building (610 Walnut Street) to purchase a permit from our front desk staff.
Weekdays after 4:30 p.m. and on weekends, free parking is available in Lot 59 and 39 unless Special Events is staffing the lot entrance. During weekends, free parking (pull a ticket, but no charge at exit) is available in Lot 36 and 67 unless Special Events is staffing the lot entrance.
Residence Hall Move In/Out
For each University Residence Hall, there are multiple options for parking after unloading during move-in/move-out. Options include two-hour parking, hourly ramp/garage parking, side streets near campus and more. For more information, visit the UW Housing website.
UW Commencement
All parking arrangements for Commencement are managed through the Chancellor’s Office. Please refer to the official Commencement website for parking details and shuttle maps.
WIAA Tournaments
The privilege of hosting the WIAA tournaments on campus is a partnership between UW Athletics, the City of Madison, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association and UW-Madison Transportation Services. It brings high school students, athletes, parents and visitors from every corner of the state to the city of Madison and the University of Wisconsin.
Parking on campus is a limited commodity, but visitor parking spaces (including accessible stalls) in event-specific lots are available for $10 on a first-come, first-served basis. Shuttle service may be available to/from the Alliant Energy Center; see the WIAA website for specific tournament parking details.
- WIAA Girls Tennis
- Individual State
- Team State
- WIAA Girls Swimming & Diving
- WIAA Football Finals
- WIAA Boys Swimming & Diving
- WIAA Wrestling
- Individual Wrestling
- Team Wrestling
- WIAA Boys Basketball
- WIAA Boys Tennis
- Individual State
- Team Tennis
- WIAA Girls Softball
Ride the bus, bike, or walk to an event
Ride the bus
- Plan your bus trip using Metro’s Trip Planner; review bus schedules online at Metro’s website.
- Real-time bus arrivals are available with Metro’s Transit Tracker.
- Park in a designated park-and-ride lot and ride Metro Transit the rest of the way to campus by using a Metro Transit park-and-ride lot.
Arrive by bike
- Bike racks provide free bike parking at most campus buildings.
- See the bicycle page or email Commuter Solutions team for more information on nearby bike routes and/or a personalized commuting plan.
Arrive on foot
- When walking at night, travel in groups and/or call/text SAFEwalk at (608) 262-5000.
Event Hosts
UW Transportation Services will work with you to provide the most convenient parking available for your guests. Procedures vary by event size and host affiliation with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. To make parking arrangements for an event, please establish contact at least two weeks (but no more than three months) in advance of the event.
Departments sponsoring events may contact the Special Events office directly (608-262-8683) or complete the appropriate online order form at least two weeks (but no more than three months) prior to the event to make parking arrangements for their guests.
Space will be sold as close to the location of the event as possible. This may require reserving spaces for use or the issuance of daily parking permits. The spaces are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Please do not request more space than required so all requesting groups can be accommodated.
Departments may purchase validations and value permits with a Transportation Services cost center number. Need a TS number? See the TS Number Information Sheet (PDF) for details.
Validation (hourly, first-come, first-served parking)
Guests will pull a ticket on entry to the parking facility. Departments provide the validation to the guest, who use it upon leaving. In order to exit, guests scan their parking ticket’s QR code, wait for the amount due to appear on screen, and then scan the validation QR code to apply payment. Validations may only be used once. Guests who do not have a validation will be required to pay to exit the lot.
Validations can be used in any of the gated parking facilities with visitor parking. Note: validations are not valid during staffed special events. See the Events Calendar for dates and affected lots.
The purchasing department will be charged the actual hourly parking cost. Validations may not be used to pay for employee parking.
For help using your validation, see the Using a Validation instructional guide (PDF). If you have any questions or would like more information, please email parkingvalidation@fpm.wisc.edu.
Lot 63 (Children’s Hospital Ramp) and Lot 75 (UW Hospital Ramp) – we offer an electronic validation system (eVal), replacing paper validations. If you are interested in learning more about this product, please send your request to parkingvalidation@fpm.wisc.edu and you will be contacted with additional information.
Value Permit (daily, reserved parking)
It is the department’s responsibility to distribute value passes to guests before they park on campus. Value permits can be purchased for multiple days. Guests will use the value permit to enter and to exit the parking lot. Value permits are valid during staffed special events.
The purchasing department will be charged $15 per full-day permit, which guarantees a parking stall in the indicated lot. Unused value passes are non-refundable after the valid date. A 50% refund is available if the order is returned a minimum of two days before their start date.
For help using your value permit, see the Using a Value Permit instructional guide (PDF). If you have any questions or would like more information, please email visitorparking@fpm.wisc.edu.
Parking may be obtained in advance by submitting a parking request via our online value permit request form at least two weeks (but no more than three months) prior to the date of your event. If you are unsure which lot you need, or wish to inquire on specific lot availability, please email visitorparking@fpm.wisc.edu.
Once location and availability have been established, please submit your order, including your name, address, phone number, number of permits, lot desired, dates needed and payment to:
Transportation Services
Attn: Special Events
610 Walnut Street
Room 124
Madison, WI 53726
Fax (608) 265-3424
If you chose to use Visa or MasterCard to complete your payment, please do not send your card information in an email or fax. Our staff will contact you directly to obtain necessary information.
If you are coming to campus less than two weeks from now, you can use visitor parking page for suggestions on where to park during your visit.
If you are sponsoring a large conference (50 or more people) on campus and your attendees will be purchasing their own parking, we can create custom applications (for a fee) or provide an electronic PDF application form for your users. Your attendees will be able to order and pay for their parking directly through Transportation Services.
Please contact Transportation Services Special Events at (608) 262-8683 at least one month before your conference to process the application. You are responsible for sending out the electronic or paper form with your other conference materials.
Check the other two tabs in this section for more information about coordinating event parking.